The Portland daily press., 1887-07-11
OUR ROB q Err.
lWaverly.1


flush on her cheeks, sure sign that she was
thinking of the happy. care-free days when
she and this friend, who was so anxious to
have her present at her silver wedding, were
all the world to each other. "To think that
Carrie has been married twenty-five years!
1t does not seem possible. Dear Carried 1
wish 1t were so we could CO."
''Why, what is to hinder us from going,
pray tell2"
Everything, John; we should have to be
away at least a week, and what could we do
with Sue and the house?"
watched the light fade from her face, to
be replaced by the usual careworn express
sion, and vowed she should have this one
pleasure her heart craved.
Now, when / undertake thing / accom-
plish it at all hazards; so, in spite of man.
mas protestations and misgivings, had the
satisfaction of seeing her and papa en- route
for B. the next morning.
sent for Madge, my dear familiar" and
what with our riding, visiting, and enter
tanning company, the time passed quickly.
Greatly to our surprise we found ourselves
elevated to the position of heroines. 1t was
considered wonderfully brave thing for two
young girls to stay alone, of their own free
will and accord, in large house, with no
protector save cowardly negro boy and an
old dog. Our house was very large, sadly
deficient in locks, and we had no near neigh
bors-none nearer than the village, two miles
distant. Dan and two servant girls, with
ourselves, constituted the household.
But Madge and |, at school, had the repu-
tation of fearing nothing; certainly we had
not thought of fear in this case l confess 1
secretly examined papa's stock Of firearms,
after hearing the gossip, and struggled sew
eral of the necessary nuisances into my
room, beside coaxing Watch to sleep in the
kitchen-to AIMS great disgust.
The week was half over when we took a
fancy to drive to thelvillage and indulge in
the luxury of shopping. Madge suggested
that we should call for some valuable Jewell
ry had left for some slight alterations.
AS we entered the establishment, my at
tention was attracted by two men who were
staring at us most impudently. Mr.. Ernest
was an old friend of ours; we chatted with
him some little time.
$50 you are the head of the household,
Miss Sue. I'll warrant you double lock all
the doors, and start at every noise In the
night. Isn't it true, Miss Madge?"
Madge Indignantly disclaimed such weak
ness on my part, assuring him that the doors
had chronic dislike to being locked, and
we were strangers to anything so weak
minded as fear.
A thousand pardons Knight have known
you were brave as regiment of men. When
will your father returnp What! not until
Saturday Well, you are two courageous
young ladies'"
Just then turned my head, and there
saw those two men seemingly absorbed in
the jewels displayed in the case. Such Q
queer feeling crept over me. Something I'M
PEELED me to boast of my skill in shooting.
''It wouldn't be safe for burglars to visit
us. You know papa drilled me well in the
use of firearms"
''Sure enough. He does persist in declar-
ing you are proficient in that accomplishment
had forgotten that. Pray don't expect me
to make raid upon your jewel easket
now"
All through town those men followed us,
until grew nervous as witch. Madge did
not appear to notice them, and l was
ashamed to speak of it lest she should laugh
at me-
We had company until late that evening
1t was eleven when the last guest departed
Madge was in the library looking for book,
when / heard stealthy step on the side
porch, flew to the door, as it flashed upon
me that it was unlocked, had hardly got
it fastened when felt the knob turn softly
/ ran to fasten the hall door. As did Sc
some one came running over the porch, up
the steps of the piazza. The door was wide
open, Now distinctly remembered closing
it after bidding my friends good night. My
hands shook so that could scarcely turn
the key. Every moment seemed an hour t.
me. Stealing softly into the parlor, parted
the curtains and looked out
1t was bright moonlight evening, and
there, crouched in the corner of the piazza,
right by the door, could plainly see man
evidently expecting some one to come to the
door, recognized him as one of the mer
who had annoyed me so in the village, and
my heart stood still as / thought of the oper
door, Might not the other one have entered
the house by it? | trembled from head to
foot at the thought.
Il glanced into the library. Madge was
humming a song, and looking so happy
that had not the heart to disturb her, bu
went quietly down to the kitchen alone, ben
on arousing Watch to the emergency.
never knew before that the house had 81
many doors and so many dark hooks. Al
every one expected that wretch to step ou
and seize me. was sure someone was clost
behind me going down stairs. My hear
leaped into my mouth But no; it was only
the rustling of my dress.
Watch was always my obedient servant
and he seemed to understand what was
wanted of him. The moment / opened the
door, out he darted, with such savage
growl that was half afraid of him myself
A series Of yelps, then scream and an oath
told me that Watch had found his game.
could hear them rushing through the shrub
Dery. Presently there was great noise
more oaths, and knew the men had fallen
over the wall In the back yard, which raised
it several feet from the garden.
Frightened as / was, | could not heir
laughing. knew Watch would be faithful
so no longer feared the outsider.
MY chief desire now was to reach nv
room, that had a strong lock.
"WnaC on eaTtH ID Lue lnalCerY asked
Made.
With a laugh babe her wait until VIC
were in our room before she made me tell q
long story.
The door was open, and as ] reached the
head of the stairs the moonlight showed me
distinctly in the large mirror the refectlor
of man hurriedly secreting himself in thu
wardrobe.
Frightened nearly to death, stood mo
ment undecided what to do There wasn't 9
room In the house where we would be safe
l thought of the three revolyers hiding in
the bureau, and decided to 'beard the lion in
his den."
1t happened that Madge and myself were
expert in the use of the deaf-and-dumb al.
phabet; it had served us many good turn,
and resolved it should now.
Madge was in an unusually talkative
mood-talked necessarily as she unfastened
her long hair. never saw her look more